With the current topic about the Government and their policy regarding local manufacturers, imports AND the slogan "Buy Jamaica ... Build Jamaica", the following letter was taken by hand to Mr Anthony Hylton's office on 1st February, 2013 (and signed for). To date, I have not even been given the courtesy of a response to acknowledge receipt.
After watching Mr (Omar) Azan on March 20, I have to ask, who is this Government for ... Jamaicans or everyone else (Caribbean, Chinese)?
Dear Minister Hylton,
I am compelled to write this letter as a means of highlighting just one of the thousands of local manufacturers in Jamaica who face serious challenges competing with the importation of cheaper products manufactured abroad.
Contrary to your ministry's slogan "Buy Jamaican...Build Jamaica", there are Government entities which negate the very principle of supporting local business manufacturers, by purchasing their own products and supplies from overseas markets.
I own and operate a small printing establishment in Kingston, which has been manufacturing and supplying X-Ray film storage jackets for over 35 years to several private medical facilities and to Government-run institutions like the UHWI.
These jackets are handmade, and of a high quality, manufactured from imported specialised material which I am obliged to import in large quantities by container load, in anticipation of purchase orders from our customers. All other material is locally acquired and the production line provides employment for several workers.
Advancement in digital technology at private facilities, has cancelled the need for X-Ray jackets, as images are now digitally stored. However, the UHWI (without digital technology) still uses the jackets, but is now importing them from an overseas manufacturer that is obviously able to produce them at a fraction of the cost that a local manufacturer is able to.
The UHWI was not forthcoming in communicating their intention to source these jackets overseas. My recent contact with your Ministry has been perhaps an exercise in futility, as understandably, no one in your good office can give me the rationale behind such blatant disregard for local manufacturers by the very same agencies that promote the concept of Buying Jamaican and Building Jamaica.
Perhaps, Mr Minister, you have the answer for the many struggling businesses in a similar position such as the St Elizabeth producer of syrup flavours (from local fruits and juices) which previously supplied government schools with juice, now being replaced with an imported product. Numerous products; furniture; printed text books and other supplies being imported from overseas for Government entities, to the detriment of local Jamaican businesses.
With the critical unemployment rate and an economy as dire as ours is today, it seems ludicrous that local manufacturers should be competing against imported products, particularly when the "customer" is none other than the very Government that promotes "Buy Jamaican...Build Jamaica".
I look forward to your response in due course.
Still no response from Minister Hylton
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After watching Mr (Omar) Azan on March 20, I have to ask, who is this Government for ... Jamaicans or everyone else (Caribbean, Chinese)?
Dear Minister Hylton,
I am compelled to write this letter as a means of highlighting just one of the thousands of local manufacturers in Jamaica who face serious challenges competing with the importation of cheaper products manufactured abroad.
Contrary to your ministry's slogan "Buy Jamaican...Build Jamaica", there are Government entities which negate the very principle of supporting local business manufacturers, by purchasing their own products and supplies from overseas markets.
I own and operate a small printing establishment in Kingston, which has been manufacturing and supplying X-Ray film storage jackets for over 35 years to several private medical facilities and to Government-run institutions like the UHWI.
These jackets are handmade, and of a high quality, manufactured from imported specialised material which I am obliged to import in large quantities by container load, in anticipation of purchase orders from our customers. All other material is locally acquired and the production line provides employment for several workers.
Advancement in digital technology at private facilities, has cancelled the need for X-Ray jackets, as images are now digitally stored. However, the UHWI (without digital technology) still uses the jackets, but is now importing them from an overseas manufacturer that is obviously able to produce them at a fraction of the cost that a local manufacturer is able to.
The UHWI was not forthcoming in communicating their intention to source these jackets overseas. My recent contact with your Ministry has been perhaps an exercise in futility, as understandably, no one in your good office can give me the rationale behind such blatant disregard for local manufacturers by the very same agencies that promote the concept of Buying Jamaican and Building Jamaica.
Perhaps, Mr Minister, you have the answer for the many struggling businesses in a similar position such as the St Elizabeth producer of syrup flavours (from local fruits and juices) which previously supplied government schools with juice, now being replaced with an imported product. Numerous products; furniture; printed text books and other supplies being imported from overseas for Government entities, to the detriment of local Jamaican businesses.
With the critical unemployment rate and an economy as dire as ours is today, it seems ludicrous that local manufacturers should be competing against imported products, particularly when the "customer" is none other than the very Government that promotes "Buy Jamaican...Build Jamaica".
I look forward to your response in due course.
Still no response from Minister Hylton
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